Bob Paisley - Liverpool's 1981 European Cup Triumph, May 27th, Paris

1980-81 1st Round
Finnish part timers Oulu held Liverpool courtesy of a bumpy and somewhat eccentric playing surface that put paid to any pretensions of playing one touch football. A Terry McDermott goal ensured no red faces amongst the red men.	Match Facts: Oulu Palloseura 1 v 1 Liverpool September 17th 1980 Clemence, Neal, Cohen, Thompson, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Fairclough, McDermott, Souness Goals McDermott (15) Attendance 14,000
If Oulu harboured any hopes of somehow sneaking past Liverpool into the second round after their first leg draw they were cruelly shattered at Anfield. Hat-tricks for both Souness and McDermott delighted the drooling Kopites as the score climbed and climbed until it reached double figures. Liverpool's first '10' since the drubbing of Dundalk ten years earlier.	Liverpool 10 v 1 Oulu Palloseura October 1st 1980 Clemence, Neal, Cohen, Thompson, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Fairclough, McDermott, Souness Goals Souness (5,24,pen 52) McDermott (29,41,83) Lee (53) R.Kennedy (66) Fairclough (68,81) Attendance 21,013

2nd Round
History records this tie as the only ever meeting of those two great managers Bob Paisley and Sir Alex Ferguson. Aberdeen boasted the talents of Miller, McLeish, Leighton and a fiery young red head called Strachan and had managed to break the Old Firm stranglehold on Scottish football. On a freezing night at Pittodrie, a lone Terry McDermott goal settled the issue. McDermott had blossomed into a midfield player of rare ability capable of scoring magnificently spectacular goals and this goal at Aberdeen was one of his best.	Aberdeen 0 v 1 Liverpool October 22nd 1980 Clemence, Neal, A.Kennedy, Thompson, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee ( Case ), Johnson, McDermott, Souness Goals McDermott (5) Attendance 24,000
The gulf between the champions of England and Scotland was revealed to be a gaping one on this firecracker of an evening at Anfield. Liverpool coasted home, with perhaps predictably two of their Scots scoring. Aberdeen's Miller even got in on the act, putting through his own goal to the delight of the Kop.	Liverpool 4 v 0 Aberdeen November 5th 1980 Clemence, Neal, A.Kennedy ( Cohen ), Thompson, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Johnson, McDermott, Souness Goals Miller (og 37) Neal (43) Dalglish (58) Hansen (71) Attendance 36,182

3rd Round
Another magnificent performance was laid before the faithful as Liverpool slaughtered the overrun Bulgarians. Graeme Souness helped himself to his second hat-trick of the campgain as the Reds virtually booked their semi final place.	Liverpool 5 v 1 CSKA Sofia March 4th 1981 Clemence, Neal, A.Kennedy, Thompson ( Irwin ), R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Heighway, McDermott, Souness Goals Souness (16,51,80) Lee (45) McDermott (62) Attendance 37,255
Another tight professional performance in Sofia saw the Reds come through with a 1-0 victory and a 6-1 aggregate score. David Johnson scored the goal early in the first half.	CSKA Sofia 0 v 1 Liverpool March 18th 1981 Clemence, Neal, A.Kennedy, Irwin, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Johnson ( Heighway ), Case, Souness Goals Johnson (10) Attendance 65,000

Semi Final
The four semi finalists, Liverpool, Bayern, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, boasted 13 European Cups between them. It was clear there was to be no easy passage to the final for any of them. On a tough night at Anfield Liverpool had to be content with a goalless draw. Even the exciting young European debutant up front ( a certain Ian Rush ) was unable to break the deadlock.	Liverpool 0 v 0 Bayern Munich April 8th 1981 Clemence, Neal, A.Kennedy, Thompson, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Rush, McDermott, Heighway ( Case ) Goals Attendance 44,543
Another night destined to go down in Liverpool folklore. Stories of arrogant Germans having already booked their flights for Paris served only to facilitate their downfall. An early injury to Kenny Dalglish meant a rare appearance for skilfull winger Howie Gayle. The Germans had no answer to his running and trickery and he played his part in softening up Bayern for Ray Kennedy's late strike. A last gasp equaliser was not enough to prevent Liverpool reaching their third European Cup final.	Bayern Munich 1 v 1 Liverpool April 22nd 1981 Clemence, Neal, Money, Irwin, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish ( Gayle, Case ), Lee, Johnson, McDermott, Souness Goals R.Kennedy (83) Attendance 77,600

Final

Spanish giants Madrid were taking part in their 9th European Cup final and had won the cup on 6 previous occasions, but Liverpool were eager to join the ranks of those who had captured the trophy 3 times.

In another disappointing match, it was Real who had slightly the better of the first half but as the game wore on, Liverpool's determination began to wear down the Spaniards, as Graeme Souness wrestled control of the midfield from Real's Uli Stielike.

Alan Kennedy got the crucial goal, taking a Ray Kennedy throw-in on his chest, going past defender Cortes, and then smashing home from a tight angle. In an exciting finish, Souness narrowly failed to grab a second goal after a marvellous save from keeper Agustin.

Liverpool 1 v 0 Real Madrid
May 27th 1981

Clemence, Neal, A.Kennedy, Thompson, R.Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish ( Case ), Lee, Johnson, McDermott, Souness

Goals
A.Kennedy (81)

Attendance
48,360

Read the Alan Kennedy interview here.